Asian Studies

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Your coursework will give you a global perspective and the tools to understand the events and issues of the day through the lens of the societies you study. Supportive faculty will encourage you to study abroad in distinguished programs.

About the Major

Learning a major Asian language is part of the curriculum: Proficiency is critical not only for communicating across cultural lines but for gaining a more complete understanding of the region's identity and expression. Balancing liberal arts principles with innovative scholarship, courses stress the importance of Asia's cultural traditions as well as its modern social and political transformations.

Due to the smaller class sizes in the Japanese department, it’s incredibly easy to get close with the faculty. Professor Omori and Kamiya have been absolutely wonderful mentors to me during my time at Hamilton. They are both great professors, and I am truly glad that I got to get to know them so well in such a small amount of time.

Jack Lyons ’16 —
Asian studies major with a Japanese focus

Hamilton's Asian Studies Program begins with the conviction that a real understanding of this immense human tapestry requires an interdisciplinary approach to the continent's cultures, languages and society. Students draw on the rich diversity of courses offered in a range of departments such as: anthropology, art history, East Asian languages and literatures, environmental studies, government, history and religious studies.

Careers After Hamilton

Data Assurance Specialist, Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi

Analyst/Linguist, U.S. Department of Defense

Vice President, Interaction Designer, Bank of America

Assistant Language Teacher, Japan Exchange and Teaching Program

Trader, Pacific Asia, Ajc International

Curator for SE Asia, The British Museum

Assistant Editor, MTV Networks

Director East Asia & Pacific, Council for the International Exchange of Scholars

Steven Yao

A Sampling of Courses

Examination of performing arts across Asia from traditional theatre to contemporary pop culture, and how performance functions in society. Topics include shamanic rituals, "invented" traditions, tourism, cross-dressing, and other formations of sociocultural identities.

An interdisciplinary exploration of Asian cultures through cities in China, India and Japan from early times to the 20th century. Examines the history and geography of greater Asia; its diverse peoples and their philosophical and literary traditions; their religious and commercial practices; and their art.

Seminar in which concentrators develop individually-designed research projects in consultation with the instructor and one other member of the Asian Studies Program Committee. Students discuss their ongoing research with their peers throughout the semester, culminating in formal presentations of the final projects – usually written – which demonstrate mastery of the methods of the study of Asia in one or more discipline. Oral Presentations.

Performing Culture: Shamans, Tourists, and Cross-dressers
158F

Examination of performing arts across Asia from traditional theatre to contemporary pop culture, and how performance functions in society. Topics include shamanic rituals, "invented" traditions, tourism, cross-dressing, and other formations of sociocultural identities.

Exploring Culture in the Great Cities of Asia
180

An interdisciplinary exploration of Asian cultures through cities in China, India and Japan from early times to the 20th century. Examines the history and geography of greater Asia; its diverse peoples and their philosophical and literary traditions; their religious and commercial practices; and their art.

Senior Project
550F

Seminar in which concentrators develop individually-designed research projects in consultation with the instructor and one other member of the Asian Studies Program Committee. Students discuss their ongoing research with their peers throughout the semester, culminating in formal presentations of the final projects – usually written – which demonstrate mastery of the methods of the study of Asia in one or more discipline. Oral Presentations.